Tamil Nadu has such a history of film stars turning into netas that it is impossible to separate films from politics. And there is more to come in the form of the political ambitions of the stars.
Ace filmmaker Bharathiraja who has given breaks to young actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan in 1970s films that became cult classics like 16 Vayadhinile and Sigappu Rojakkal, has also been a witness to Tamil history in which at least five personalities with ties to the film industry as actors or script writers who have gone on to become chief ministers.
Repeatedly asked about the sensational double of two major stars from the film industry aspiring to enter politics, the stalwart finally aired his thoughts on Kamal and Rajini starting political parties of their own and being set to embark on their official political journeys soon.
Bharathiraja said, “In a democracy, anybody can choose to do whatever he or she wants. I decided to just remain as a filmmaker, so I didn’t even think about it. But they felt like they wanted to do something for the state, so they began a party.”
That line has very much been the early response to the two stars entering politics but the reactions from the world of politics has been a mixed bag of encouragement from some quarters and hate from others. How would the ace director who knew these stars as young men looking for a break as leading men in movies with big directors size up their chances in politics? Would he pick one over the other? This is where Bharathiraja gets cagey, saying he would announce his support only after Kamal and Rajini disclose their respective party’s ideologies and principles.
